Food for thought

As the UK edges ever closer to an official exit from the EU, there are concerns that food prices could spike come January. If a trade deal cannot be agreed, trade between the UK and the EU will revert to WTO rules, which include high tariffs for food imports and exports.

Funny I can remember in the ’60s we ate what was seasonal and we had very little imported and that was fruit in season. We did not starve. Buy British and support British farmers.

Peter Robson That was the 1960s. We do not produce enough food or the right type of food to keep us going. That is why we had rationing in the war and after the war. That is why the Germans tried to sink the vast convoys that supplied us with all the things we needed. Anyhow, we were told Brexit would be fantastic, not a self-inflicted World War II experience.

Gerald Duncan

You might have not been starving but your diet was dull and unhealthy. You also seem to forget that the UK food industry is designed to a large extent for export, not for homeland consumption.

Nodrog Elechim

We won't be starving. Quite the opposite, in fact, as there are more and more countries queuing up to trade with the UK.

Gerald Reilly

Hopefully we will increase our homegrown capacity – the UK produces some of the best beef, lamb, pork etc. About time as well.

John Stead

They already produce too much for the UK market and they export the majority if it to the EU. That's the big issue for meat and fish in the UK – come 1 January they will have nowhere to sell it to.

Lesley-anne Mitchell

Our food tastes have changed in the last 50 years. We eat salad all the year round because we know it's good for you. It could be grown here throughout the winter as they do in the Netherlands but using huge quantities of fuel. We eat tuna rather than pilchards (I think we now sell our pilchards to the EU). I have always tried to eat local/ British, but what is available – particularly in winter – is limited, and we rely on imports.

Jonet Brown

This is the price to pay for our sovereignty as a proudly global Britain.

Geraint Le Boeuf

Don't see why they should increase their prices right away. They have made more profits since the start of the first lockdown than ever before so if they do it will be for the sake of it.

Marie Mccairns

Most of the food the UK produces is seasonal. We don't have the capacity to grow enough food all year round. In many cases it is literally impossible. We need imports to feed ourselves and our producers need to export their produce to survive.

Garaidh Mclausch

I like French brie but if it becomes too expensive or unavailable I'll survive!

Callum Macleod

As a confirmed cynic I fully expect British producers and sellers to take full advantage of the situation and price gouge shamelessly.

Ken Mackay